An Igbo native, who is also an American citizen, becomes the first Nigerian-American to be appointed the Commander of a US Navy ship Halsey (DDG-97) described as an Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer.
A Tweet message congratulating Ndukwe, from the US mission in Nigeria confirmed his new position last Thursday. The Tweet reads; “Kudos to Kelechi Ndukwe on his new role as commander of a US Navy Guided Missle Destroyer.
“The University of Notre Dame and the US Naval war college alumnus becomes the first Nigerian American captain of a US Navy ship. Congratulations!” Ndukwe, a graduate of chemical engineering, succeeded De Vere Crooks, who had commanded the ship since November 2019, being his deputy.
Nevertheless, Ndukwe was appointed the Commander of the Naval ship, after 18years career in the US Navy, where he began as an auxiliary officer of the US thorn, a year after he obtained a masters degree in national security and strategy studies from the US Naval war college.
During the handing over ceremony, streamlined live on Facebook, Mr Ndukwe recalled how his parents migrated to the US from Nigeria in 1977 as “poor college students with hopes and dreams”.
He commended the cabin crew to continue in the line of hardwork and dedication as cheers, rounds of applause sprang from the crew. In previous appointment, Mr Ndukwe, in 2004 to 2006, served as the fire Control Officer of US Normandy in Norfolk; served as a weapons officer and combat system office of USS Fitz Gerald in Yokosuka Japan, from 2010 to 2011.
He was a Navy Congressional Liason Officer in Washington DC from July 2006 to August 2008. Between 2015 he was a Commanding Officer for the USS Devastator (MCM6) a minesweeper based in Britain.
Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News
